Regional Museums in Mombasa
Fort Jesus: High-Standing European Fortification
Rising incontrovertibly over the entrance to Mombasa Harbour since 1596, the imposing and high-standing Fort Jesus is an unbroken memoir of the disruptive history, wars and reprisals of the Portuguese rule in Mombasa from 1498 to 1698. Romanticized as an early European fortification, the only one maintained by the Portuguese along the Swahili Coast, it existed at a huge cost to life and liberty of the natives and holds a lengthy history of immeasurable disruption and violence,
Its subsequent tenants, the Omani (1698-1898), Portuguese again (1728-29), local rulers (1741-1837) and the British (1900-48), extended its legacy of torture, fervent subjugation, ruthless retributive acts and the worst kind of human suffering. From 1948 during its transformation to a national museum, its dark history was erased, conveniently framed and smoothly grossed over. An inquiry of the British and of Portuguese motives in turning the fort into a museum shows how the make over supported their imperial aims in Africa in the face of stern calls for decolonization.
For the casual visitor to Fort Jesus, sitting on the antediluvian carronades to get a better sea view through the greying turret-holes, it is a sophisticated historic fort. But for the intrepid explorer there is nothing unpretentious about the buttressing intention of this citadel which must have stood as an intimidating colossus, seen from miles out in the undeveloped and modestly Island whose population by the turn of the 15th century was about 10,000. Its earliest plans are in a manuscript Atlas by Manuel Godinho de Heredia, dated 1610, which show the original design.
Built in the shape of man (viewed from the air) and more or less square, its layout has a central court with bastions in the four corners and a rectangular gun plat form. It was designed in such a way that it was secure during any attacks. Inside, it had a chapel, cistern, a captain’s house, barrack rooms (north and south), firing steps, guard rooms, ten watch towers and gun ports. It covers six acres and has only one entry, in the rear, and two passages leading out to the Indian Ocean. It is open daily from 8am to 6pm. Entry charges, Kes: Citizen Adult 200, Child (below 16 yrs) 100; Resident Adult 400, Child 200; Non-Resident Adult 1200, Child 600.
The regional museums in Kenya offer a fascinating journey through the country’s history and heritage. They look back at ancient civilizations, cultures as they were centuries ago, cottage industries, colonial legacies, and archaeological finding – in specialization or as a combination – to give insights on the past and present.
Index of Regional Museums in Kenya
Baringo County - Kabarnet Museum, Kipsaraman Museum, Biretwo Museum, Busia County - The Kakapel Cultural Center, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Tambach Museum, Homa Bay County - Abasuba Peace Museum, Kajiado County - Olorgesailie Museum, Kericho County - Fort Tenan Prehistoric Site, Kilifi County - The Gede Ruins, Malindi Museum, Rabai Cultural Landscape, Kisumu County - Kisumu Museum, Lamu County - German Post Office, Lamu Museum, Takwa Ruins, Marsabit County - Desert Museum, Koobi Fora Museum, Meru County - Meru Museum, Njuri Ncheke Museum, Migori County - Thimlich Ohinga, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Museum, Nairobi County - Karen Blixen Museum, Judiciary Museum, Railway Museum, Nairobi National Museum, Nakuru County - Kariandusi Museum, Hyrax Hill Museum, Nandi County - Koitalel Arap Samoei Museum, Narok County - Narok Museum, Nyeri County - Nyeri Museum, Paxtu House, Samburu County - Kenyatta House Maralal, Trans Nzoia County - Kitale Museum, Wajir County - Wajir Museum, West Pokot County - Kapenguria Museum
Privately Run Museums Around Kenya: Rhodia Mann Museum, Treasures of Africa, The Adamson's Museum, Taita Hills Museum, African Heritage House, Rev. Wray Museum, Maa Museum Enashipai Resort, Swahili House Museum Lamu, Museum of Illusions, Kapkatet Kipsigis Cultural Museum, The Gikuyu Museum, Memorial Peace Museum
outlook
Well-famous for its rich Swahili culture, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife – acclaimed as one of the top destinations in Kenya – Mombasa County is home to Mombasa City, Kenya’s second-largest city and a primary port town that has been a key trade center for centuries. Mombasa County is more than just beaches—it’s a cultural melting pot with history, adventure, and guaranteed jambos.
You Are Here: Fort Jesus Museum
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Explore Destinations in Fort Jesus Museum
A Guide to Mombasa County
A Summa Digest of Mombasa
About Mombasa Way Back When
80 Destinations in Mombasa County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then east - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Arab Rifle's Monument, Buli Monument, Fort Jesus Curio Shop, Camel Joint, Old Town Mombasa, Fort Jesus Museum I World Heritage Site, Mombasa Butterfly House, Santo Antonio de Tanna, Swahili Cultural Center, Sanaa Gallery, Old Port Mombasa, Leven House I Steps, Forodhani Restaurant, The Mandhry Mosque, Burhani Mosque, Tulia Backpackers, Bahdala Mosque, Mazrui Cemetery, Old Law Courts, Treasury Square, Africa Hotel, Kizingo BBQ, St. Joseph's Fort, Ras Serani Lighthouse, Kizingo War Camp, Mombasa Golf Club, Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, Shelly Beach, The Likoni Floating Bridge, Mbaraki Creek, Mombasa Yatch Club, Mbaraki Pillar, The Mombasa Mbaraki Cemetery, The Little Theatre Club, Kilindini Harbour, The Mombasa Memorial Church, The Holy Ghost Catholic Cathedral, Lord Shiva Temple, The Old Mombasa Railway Station, Railways Park, Mombasa African Memorial, Mombasa’s Tusks, Fort Makupa, Kibarani Recreation Park, Akamba Handicraft Shop, Manyimbo War Cemetery, Tudor Water Sports Marina, Nyali Bridge, ACK Emmanuel, The Kengeleni Monument, Bahari Beach Resort, Tamarind Dhow Cruise, Krapf Memorial Heritage Park, Kenyatta Public Beach, Bombolulu Workshop, Haller Park, Mombasa Butterfly Pavilion, Bamburi Rifle Range, Mombasa Go-Kart, Suli Suli Fishing, Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, Mamba Village, Nyali Golf & Country Club, Wild Waters, Nyali Shopping Mall, Mombasa Marine Park I Reserve, Ngomongo Village, Shimo la Tewa Site, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant
Know More About Mombasa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Mombasa County can be split into 3 zones: 1. Coastal plain, covering parts the Island; 2. The hilly areas rising gently from 45 ms to 132 ms asl in the west; and 3. The Indian Ocean, creeks and the shoreline.
Mombasa County is generally warm and humid. A tropical wet and dry climate influenced by warm sea breezes year-round. May is generally the wettest month, then April and June. March is the hottest, peaking at 33oC, with average temperatures across the year rarely falling below 24oC; July and August.
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